Decius Brutus

Caesar

Soothsayer

Artemidorus

Decius Brutus

Trebonius would like you to read over his humble request, at your leisure.

Artemidorus

Oh, Caesar, read mine first, for mine is a request that's more relevant to you. Read it, great Caesar!

Caesar

What's most relevant to us will be dealt with last.

Artemidorus

Don't delay, Caesar, read it instantly!

Caesar

What, is this fellow mad?

At your best leisure, this his humble suit.

Artemidorus

O Caesar, read mine first, for mine's a suit

That touches Caesar nearer. Read it, great Caesar!

Caesar

What touches us ourself shall be last served.

Discussion

"us ourself"

[Click to see note.]

Discussion

"us ourself"

Shakespeare has Caesar speaking like an English king in his usage of the the third person plural ("we" instead of "I", "us" instead of "me"). This reflects the medieval view that a king is God's agent on earth; his opinions and actions are not his alone, but his and God's.

Artemidorus

Delay not, Caesar, read it instantly!

Caesar

What, is the fellow mad?

Publius

Sirrah, give place.

Cassius

What, urge you your petitions in the street?

Come to the Capitol.

[Caesar goes up to the Senate-House, the rest following behind.]

Popilius

[To Cassius] I wish your enterprise today may thrive.

Cassius

What enterprise, Popilius?

Popilius

Publius

You there, move over.

Cassius

What, are we presenting petitions in the street now? Just come to the Capitol.

[Caesar goes up to the Senate-House, the rest following]

Popilius

[To Cassius] I hope your business today goes well.

Cassius

What business, Popilius?

Popilius

[To Cassius] Farewell.

[Advances to Caesar]

Brutus

What did Popilius Lena say?

Cassius

He said he hoped our business today would go well. I'm afraid our plan has been discovered.

Brutus

Look how he's approaching Caesar. Watch him carefully.

[To Cassius] Fare you well.

[Popilius advances toward Caesar.]

Brutus

What said Popilius Lena?

Cassius

He wished today our enterprise might thrive.

I fear our purpose is discoverèd.

Brutus

Look how he makes to Caesar. Mark him.

Cassius

Casca,

Be sudden, for we fear prevention.

Brutus, what shall be done? If this be known,

Cassius or Caesar never shall turn back,

For I will slay myself.

Brutus

Cassius, be constant.

Cassius

Casca, do something quick, for we're afraid of being stopped. Brutus, what should we do? If our plot becomes known, then either Caesar or I can leave this place alive, for I'll kill myself if we fail.

Brutus

Cassius

Trebonius knows what he has to do, for look, Brutus, he's drawing Mark Antony out of the way.

[Exeunt Antony and Trebonius]

Decius Brutus

Where is Metellus Cimber? He should go and present his request to Caesar now.

Popilius Lena speaks not of our purposes,

For look, he smiles, and Caesar doth not change.

Cassius

Trebonius knows his time; for look you, Brutus,

He draws Mark Antony out of the way.

[Exeunt Antony and Trebonius.]

Decius Brutus

Where is Metellus Cimber? Let him go

And presently prefer his suit to Caesar.

Brutus

He is addressed. Press near and second him.

Cinna

Casca, you are the first that rears your hand.

Caesar

Brutus

He's ready; get closer so you can second his petition.

Cinna

Casca, you will be the first to strike a blow.

Caesar

Is everyone ready? What problems should Caesar and his senate address?

Metellus Cimber

Most high, most mighty, and most powerful Caesar, I, Metellus Cimber, kneel before you with a humble heart.

[Kneeling]

Are we all ready? What is now amiss

That Caesar and his Senate must redress?

Discussion

"his senate"

[Click to see note.]

Discussion

"his senate"

Caesar's referral to this most republican of institutions as "his" Senate is just one more indication of how autocratic his rule has become. The Senate is supposed to represent the citizenry, but in this case, he has claimed it for his own.

Metellus Cimber

[Addressing Caesar, seated to hear petitioners]

Most high, most mighty, and most puissant Caesar,

Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat

An humble heart —

[Kneeling]

Caesar

Performance

Lines 35b-48

[Click to launch video.]

I must prevent thee, Cimber.

These couchings and these lowly courtesies

Might fire the blood of ordinary men,

And turn pre-ordinance and first decree

Into the law of children. Be not fond

To think that Caesar bears such rebel blood

Caesar

I'll have to stop you, Cimber. This bowing and deferential courtesies might influence ordinary men to overturn prior decrees as if they were mere laws passed by children. But don't be so foolish to think that Caesar's blood is so unstable as to be thawed by that which melts fools—by which I mean flattering words, bowing low, and fawning like lapdogs. Your brother has been banished by law. If you're going to bend at the knee and pray and fawn, I will kick you out of the way like a stray dog. Know that Caesar does not make unjust decrees, and that your brother will not be pardoned without good reason.

That will be thawed from the true quality

With that which melteth fools — I mean sweet words,

Low-crookèd curtsies, and base spaniel-fawning.

Thy brother by decree is banishèd.

If thou dost bend, and pray, and fawn for him,

I spurn thee like a cur out of my way.

Know, Caesar doth not wrong, nor without cause

Will he be satisfied.

Metellus Cimber

Is there no voice more worthy than my own,

To sound more sweetly in great Caesar's ear

For the repealing of my banished brother?

Brutus

[Coming forward and kneeling]

I kiss thy hand — but not in flattery, Caesar —

Desiring thee that Publius Cimber may

Metellus Cimber

Is there any voice worthier than mine to appeal to Caesar to grant my banished brother a pardon?

Brutus

I kiss your hand as greeting, not flattery, Caesar; and I ask you to immediately repeal Publius Cimber's banishment.

Caesar

What, you’re pleading too, Brutus?

Cassius

Pardon, Caesar! Caesar, pardon! I bow as low as your feet to beg for Publius Caesar's restoration to citizenship.

Have an immediate freedom of repeal.

Caesar

What, Brutus?

Cassius

[Coming forward and kneeling]

Pardon, Caesar! Caesar, pardon!

As low as to thy foot doth Cassius fall,

To beg enfranchisement for Publius Cimber.

Caesar

Performance

Lines 59-74

[Click to launch video.]

I could be well moved, if I were as you;

If I could pray to move, prayers would move me.

But I am constant as the northern star,

Of whose true-fixed and resting quality

There is no fellow in the firmament.

The skies are painted with unnumbered sparks,

Caesar

If I were like you, if I were capable of begging for favors, then your prayers might influence me. But I am as steady as the northern star, whose fixed and unmoving nature has no equal in the night sky. The skies are filled with countless sparks of light, made of fire and shining bright, but only one among them holds its place. The world is just like that. It is filled with men of flesh and blood, with physical and mental senses. But among them I only know one man that is invincible and holds fast to his position, unmoved by others, and I am that man. Let me prove this, even in this—I was unwavering in that Cimber should be banished, and I remain firm that he will kept so.

They are all fire and every one doth shine;

But there's but one in all doth hold his place.

So in the world: 'tis furnished well with men,

And men are flesh and blood, and apprehensive;

Yet in the number I do know but one

That, unassailable, holds on his rank,

Unshaked of motion; and that I am he.

Metaphor

Caesar as a Star

[Click to launch video.]

Let me a little show it, even in this —

That I was constant Cimber should be banished,

And constant do remain to keep him so.

Cinna

[Coming forward]

O Caesar —

Caesar

Hence! Wilt thou lift up Olympus?

Allusion

"Olympus"

Allusion

"Olympus"

Mount Olympus was the mythological home to the Greek gods.

Decius Brutus

[Coming forward]

Great Caesar —

Caesar

Cinna

Oh Caesar—

Caesar

Go away! Are you trying to lift up Mount Olympus?

Decius Brutus

Great Caesar—

Caesar

Aren't you kneeling for nothing, Brutus?

Casca

My hand, speak for me!

[Casca first, then the other conspirators, and finally Brutus stab Caesar]

Caesar

And you too, Brutus?—Then die, Caesar!

[Dies]

Doth not Brutus bootless kneel?

Casca

[Coming forward]

Speak, hands for me!

[Casca first, then the other Conspirators, and finally Brutus stab Caesar.]

Caesar

Et tu, Brute? — Then fall, Caesar!

[Caesar dies.]

Cinna

Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead!

Run hence, proclaim, cry it about the streets!

Cassius

Some to the common pulpits, and cry out

Allusion

"common pulpits"

[Click to see note.]

Allusion

"common pulpits"

In ancient Rome, before the existence of printed material, information was disseminated to the citizenry by speakers from stages throughout Rome. These speaking platforms are referred to as pulpits.

'Liberty, freedom, and enfranchisement!'

Brutus

People and Senators, be not affrighted.

Cinna

Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead! Run from here and announce it, yell it in the streets!

Cassius

Some of you go to the public platforms, and cry out "Liberty, freedom, and citizenship!"

Brutus

People and senators, don't be afraid. Don't run away. Stand still. Caesar's ambition has been answered.

Casca

Go to the platform Brutus.

Decius Brutus

And Cassius too.

Brutus

Where's Publius?

Cinna

He's here, quite astonished by this violence.

Fly not; stand stiff. Ambition's debt is paid.

Casca

Go to the pulpit, Brutus.

Decius Brutus

And Cassius too.

Brutus

Where's Publius?

Cinna

Here, quite confounded with this mutiny.

Metellus Cimber

Stand fast together, lest some friend of Caesar's

Should chance —

Brutus

Talk not of standing. — Publius, good cheer;

There is no harm intended to your person,

Nor to no Roman else. So tell them, Publius.

Cassius

Metellus Cimber

Let's stand together in case some friend of Caesar's tries to—

Brutus

Don't talk about standing together. Publius, it's alright. We don't mean you any harm, nor do we mean harm to any other Roman. Tell them this, Publius.

Cassius

And leave us, Publius, in case mob rushing to see what has happened injures your old fragile body.

Brutus

Do so, Publius. Don't let any man suffer repercussions from this deed except we who did it.

[Re-enter Trebonius]

And leave us, Publius, lest that the people,

Rushing on us, should do your age some mischief.

Brutus

Do so, and let no man abide this deed

But we the doers.

[Re-enter Trebonius.]

Cassius

Where is Antony?

Trebonius

Fled to his house amazed.

Men, wives, and children stare, cry out, and run,

As it were doomsday.

Word Nerd

"doomsday"

[Click to launch video]

Brutus

Cassius

Where is Antony?

Trebonius

He fled to his house, astonished. Men, women, and children stare wildly, yell, and run around as though this was the end of the world.

Brutus

Fates, you gods controlling the future, we'll know what you have in store for us. We know we'll all die one day. It's when we die, and drawing out our days as long as possible which matter.

Cassius

Why, a man who dies twenty years early removes that many years of fearing death.

Performance

Lines 99b-119

[Click to launch video.]

Fates, we will know your pleasures.

That we shall die we know; 'tis but the time,

And drawing days out, that men stand upon.

Cassius

Why, he that cuts off twenty years of life

Cuts off so many years of fearing death.

Brutus

Grant that, and then is death a benefit;

So are we Caesar's friends, that have abridged

His time of fearing death. Stoop, Romans, stoop;

And let us bathe our hands in Caesar's blood

Up to the elbows, and besmear our swords.

Brutus

Given that, death is a benefit. We're Caesar's friends that have reduced his years of fearing death. Bend down, Romans, let us dip our hands in Caesar's blood all the way up to the elbows, and smear our swords with his blood. Then let's go forth to the marketplace, and let's wave our bloody weapons over our heads and cry "Peace, freedom, and liberty!"

Cassius

Bend down and wash your hands in his blood. Just think how future ages will re-enact this important scene over and over in nations not yet formed and in languages not yet known!

Then walk we forth, even to the market-place,

And, waving our red weapons o'er our heads,

Historical Context

Bloody Rituals

Historical Context

Bloody Rituals

Brutus’ words are not as gory as they seem. In ancient Rome, the bloody sacrificing of animals was a prominent part of religious rituals. During one part of the Lupercal, for example, participants smeared the blood of the sacrificed animal on their faces. In that context, these bloody acts urged by Brutus are consistent with his earlier stated desire that Caesar’s murder be viewed as a necessary sacrifice for the benefit of Rome.

Let's all cry 'Peace, freedom and liberty!'

Cassius

Stoop, then, and wash. How many ages hence

Shall this our lofty scene be acted over

In states unborn and accents yet unknown!

Irony

"our lofty scene be acted"

Irony

"our lofty scene be acted"

Cassius is unwittingly prophesying the everlasting popularity of this historical event, which has been re-enacted on stage and on film countless times.

Brutus

How many times shall Caesar bleed in sport,

That now on Pompey's basis lies along,

No worthier than the dust!

Cassius

So oft as that shall be,

Brutus

Think how many times Caesar will bleed again for entertainment, he who lies now along the base of Pompey's statue, no more worthy than dust!

Cassius

As often as this scene may be performed, so often our group will be called the men who gave their country liberty!

Decius Brutus

Well, should we go forth?

Cassius

Yes, let's all of us go. Brutus will lead, and we'll follow at his heels, the boldest and best hearts of Rome.

[Enter Antony's Servant]

So often shall the knot of us be called

The men that gave their country liberty.

Decius Brutus

What, shall we forth?

Cassius

Ay, every man away.

Brutus shall lead, and we will grace his heels

With the most boldest and best hearts of Rome.

[Enter Antony’s Servant.]

Brutus

Soft! Who comes here? A friend of Antony's.

Servant

[Kneeling] Thus, Brutus, did my master bid me kneel;

Thus did Mark Antony bid me fall down,

And being prostrate, thus he bade me say,

'Brutus is noble, wise, valiant, and honest;

Caesar was mighty, bold, royal, and loving.

Say I love Brutus and I honor him;

Brutus

Wait! Who's coming? It's a friend of Antony's.

Servant

Brutus, my master instructed me to kneel like this, and to fall at your feet. And lying before you, he told me to say, "Brutus is noble, wise, valiant, and honest. Caesar was mighty, bold, royal, and loving. I loved Brutus, and I honor him. I feared Caesar, and honored him, and loved him. If Brutus will guarantee that Antony can safely come to him and hear why Caesar deserved to die, then Mark Antony will love the living Brutus more than the dead Caesar, and will faithfully follow noble Brutus through the dangers of this unprecedented state of affairs." That's what my master Antony wanted me to say.

Say I feared Caesar, honored him, and loved him.

Discussion

Antony fears Caesar, but not Brutus

[Click to see note.]

Discussion

Antony fears Caesar, but not Brutus

Antony loves and honors both men, but it is only Caesar who he feared. One interpretation is that Antony is signaling to Brutus that he's supportive of the conspirators. But in Shakespeare's day, people believed that a good king commanded both love and fear. So perhaps Antony is indicating that he is not ready to accept Brutus or his associates as legitimate successors to Caesar because he does not fear them.

If Brutus will vouchsafe that Antony

May safely come to him and be resolved

How Caesar hath deserved to lie in death,

Mark Antony shall not love Caesar dead

So well as Brutus living, but will follow

The fortunes and affairs of noble Brutus

Thorough the hazards of this untrod state

With all true faith.' So says my master Antony.

Brutus

Thy master is a wise and valiant Roman;

I never thought him worse.

Tell him, so please him come unto this place,

He shall be satisfied, and, by my honor,

Depart untouched.

Servant

Brutus

Your master is a wise and valiant Roman, and I have never thought him to be less than that. Tell him that if he will come to this place, we will answer his questions, and, on my honor, he will be able to leave unharmed.

Servant

I'll go get him right away.

[Exit]

Brutus

I know that he'll be a good ally.

Cassius

I hope so, but I still fear him, and I think my suspicions are accurate for this situation.

Brutus

Here comes Antony. Welcome, Mark Antony!

[Re-enter Antony]

I'll fetch him presently.

[Exit Servant.]

Brutus

I know that we shall have him well to friend.

Cassius

I wish we may; but yet have I a mind

That fears him much, and my misgiving still

Falls shrewdly to the purpose.

Brutus

But here comes Antony. Welcome, Mark Antony!

[Re-enter Antony.]

Antony

Performance

Lines 149-164

[Click to launch video.]

[To Caesar's body] O mighty Caesar! Dost thou lie so low?

Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils,

Shrunk to this little measure? Fare thee well.

[To Cassius and Brutus] I know not, gentlemen, what you intend,

Who else must be let blood, who else is rank.

Word Nerd

"rank"

[Click to launch video]

If I myself, there is no hour so fit

As Caesar's death’s hour, nor no instrument

Antony

Oh mighty Caesar! Have you been brought this low? Have all of your conquests, glories, triumphs, and spoils of war shrunk to just this? Farewell Caesar. [To Cassius and Brutus] Gentlemen, I don't know your intentions, I don't know who else you intend to kill, or who else you think has overgrown their boundaries. If I am one of them, there's no better time to kill me than the hour of Caesar's death, nor is there any murder weapon as worthy as your swords which have enriched themselves with Caesar's blood, the noblest in the world. I beg you, if you bear a grudge against me, kill me now while your bloodied hands still reek of hot blood. If I live a thousand years, I will never find a more fitting time to die. No place and means of death would please more than being killed here next to Caesar by you, the masters of this new age.

Of half that worth as those your swords, made rich

With the most noble blood of all this world.

I do beseech ye, if you bear me hard,

Now, whilst your purpled hands do reek and smoke,

Fulfil your pleasure. Live a thousand years,

I shall not find myself so apt to die.

No place will please me so, no mean of death,

As here by Caesar, and by you cut off,

The choice and master spirits of this age.

Brutus

Performance

Lines 165-184a

[Click to launch video.]

O Antony, beg not your death of us!

Though now we must appear bloody and cruel,

As by our hands and this our present act

You see we do, yet see you but our hands

And this the bleeding business they have done.

Our hearts you see not; they are pitiful;

Brutus

Oh Antony, don't beg us to kill you! Though we must appear bloody and cruel, judging from our bloody hands and the act they've just committed, for you only see our hands and the bleeding they have caused. But our hearts, which you do not see, are full of pity—pity for Caesar, but also for the wrongs which he has inflicted on all of Rome. Just as a large fire drives out a smaller one, so a larger pity prevails over a smaller. Thus it was our greater pity for Rome which drove us to kill Caesar. As for you, our swords are harmless against you, Mark Antony. Though our weapons are capable of inflicting much injury, our hearts, full of brotherly love, receive you with nothing but kindness, good thoughts, and respect.

And pity to the general wrong of Rome —

As fire drives out fire, so pity pity —

Hath done this deed on Caesar. For your part,

To you our swords have leaden points, Mark Antony.

Discussion

"leaden points"

[Click to see note.]

Discussion

"leaden points"

Because lead is a soft metal, balls of lead were stuck on the ends of fencing swords to make them safe for practicing and sport competitions. Brutus is telling Antony that they mean him no harm.

Our arms no strength of malice, and our hearts

Of brothers' temper, do receive you in

With all kind love, good thoughts, and reverence.

Cassius

Your voice shall be as strong as any man's

Discussion

Cassius is wary of Antony

[Click to see note.]

Discussion

Cassius is wary of Antony

Cassius, believing Antony to be more ambitious than Brutus does, entices him to support their new government by suggesting that he'll have power and a voice in their rule.

In the disposing of new dignities.

Brutus

Antony

I don't doubt your wisdom. Let each man give me his bloody hand. I'll shake yours first, Marcus Brutus. I'll take your hand next, Caius Cassius. Now yours, Decius Brutus, now yours, Metellus, yours, Cinna, and yours, my valiant Casca, and last but not least in love, yours, good Trebonius. Gentlemen, what should I say? My integrity is on shaky ground, for you must think me either a coward or a flatterer.

Only be patient till we have appeased

The multitude, beside themselves with fear,

And then we will deliver you the cause

Why I, that did love Caesar when I struck him,

Have thus proceeded.

Antony

I doubt not of your wisdom.

Let each man render me his bloody hand.

First, Marcus Brutus, will I shake with you;

Next, Caius Cassius, do I take your hand;

Now, Decius Brutus, yours; now yours, Metellus;

Yours, Cinna; and, my valiant Casca, yours;

Though last, not least in love, yours, good Trebonius —

Performance

Lines 191-211

[Click to launch video.]

Gentlemen all. Alas, what shall I say?

My credit now stands on such slippery ground

That one of two bad ways you must conceit me —

Either a coward or a flatterer.

[To Caesar's body] That I did love thee, Caesar, O, 'tis true!

If then thy spirit look upon us now,

Shall it not grieve thee dearer than thy death

To see thy Anthony making his peace,

Shaking the bloody fingers of thy foes —

Most noble! — in the presence of thy corse?

(Antony)

[To Caesar’s body] It’s true that I loved you, Caesar! If your spirit could see us now, it would be more grieved then by your death, to see your Antony making peace by shaking the bloody fingers of your foes in the presence of your body—most noble act! Caesar, rather than come together in friendship with your enemies, it would be more fitting if I had as many eyes as you have wounds, and from them streamed tears as fast the blood from your wounds. Pardon me, Julius! Here you were cornered like a deer, a brave stag, and here were you shot; and here stand the hunters, bearing the signs of their kill, their bloody hands crimson as if they had been dipped in the Lethe, the death river of Hades. The whole world was the forest for you, brave hart; and you were the heart of the whole world. Here you lie, like a magnificent stag, shot my many princes.

Had I as many eyes as thou hast wounds,

Weeping as fast as they stream forth thy blood,

It would become me better than to close

In terms of friendship with thine enemies.

Pardon me, Julius! Here wast thou bayed, brave hart;

Here didst thou fall; and here thy hunters stand,

Signed in thy spoil, and crimsoned in thy Lethe.

O world, thou wast the forest to this hart,

And this indeed, O world, the heart of thee!

Metaphor

Caesar as a Deer

[Click to launch video.]

How like a deer, strucken by many princes,

Dost thou here lie!

Cassius

Mark Antony —

Antony

Pardon me, Caius Cassius.

The enemies of Caesar shall say this;

Then in a friend, it is cold modesty.

Cassius

I blame you not for praising Caesar so,

But what compact mean you to have with us?

Cassius

Mark Antony—

Antony

Pardon me for interrupting you, Caius Cassius. Even the enemies of Caesar would say this of him, so coming from me, his friend, it's only moderate praise.

Cassius

I don't blame you for praising Caesar like this. But what kind of agreement are you looking to have with us? Do you want to be counted as one of our friends? Or should we go on and not depend on you?

Antony

I took your hands to be friends, but indeed I got distracted by looking down at Caesar. I am friends with you all, and I love you all—as long as you will give me reasons why you think Caesar was dangerous.

Will you be pricked in number of our friends,

Or shall we on, and not depend on you?

Antony

Therefore I took your hands, but was indeed

Sway'd from the point by looking down on Caesar.

Friends am I with you all, and love you all,

Upon this hope: that you shall give me reasons

Why and wherein Caesar was dangerous.

Brutus

Or else were this a savage spectacle.

Our reasons are so full of good regard

That were you, Antony, the son of Caesar,

You should be satisfied.

Irony

"the son of Caesar"

[Click to see note.]

Irony

"the son of Caesar"

Brutus declares that his reasons for killing Caesar are so convincing that they would convince even the son of Caesar — an ironic claim, coming from someone could quite possibly be Caesar's biological son.

Antony

That's all I seek;

And am moreover suitor that I may

Produce his body to the market-place,

And in the pulpit, as becomes a friend,

Brutus

If we had no reasons for thinking so, this would be a savage spectacle indeed. Our reasons were so well-intentioned, Antony, that even if you were Caesar's son you'd be satisfied by them.

Antony

That's all I'm looking for. Additionally, I'd like to take his body to the marketplace, and as a friend, speak from the public platform, as part of his funeral service.

Brutus

You can, Mark Antony.

Cassius

Brutus, a word with you. [Aside to Brutus] You don't know what you're doing. Don't give your consent for Antony to speak at his funeral. Don't you know how much the people might be stirred up against us by what Antony might say?

Speak in the order of his funeral.

Brutus

You shall, Mark Antony.

Cassius

Brutus, a word with you.

[Aside to Brutus] You know not what you do. Do not consent

That Antony speak in his funeral.

Know you how much the people may be moved

By that which he will utter?

Brutus

[Aside to Cassius] By your pardon,

I will myself into the pulpit first,

And show the reason of our Caesar's death.

What Antony shall speak, I will protest

Brutus

[Aside to Cassius] With your permission, I'll stand on the platform first and explain why Caesar was put to death. Whatever Antony says, I'll tell them that he speaks with our permission, and that we want Caesar to have all the correct funeral rites and lawful ceremonies. It will do us more good than harm.

Cassius

[Aside to Brutus] I don't know what the fallout of his speech will be. I don't like this.

He speaks by leave and by permission,

And that we are contented Caesar shall

Have all true rites, and lawful ceremonies.

It shall advantage more than do us wrong.

Cassius

[Aside to Brutus] I know not what may fall; I like it not.

Brutus

Mark Antony, here, take you Caesar's body.

You shall not in your funeral speech blame us,

But speak all good you can devise of Caesar,

And say you do't by our permission;

Else shall you not have any hand at all

About his funeral. And you shall speak

Brutus

Mark Antony, take Caesar's body. You are not to blame us in your funeral speech, but may speak however well you can of Caesar, and say that you do so by our permission. Otherwise, you will have no hand at all in his funeral. And you'll speak from the same platform to which I'm going now, after I'm done.

Antony

So be it. I want nothing more.

Brutus

Prepare the body then, and follow us.

[Exeunt all but Antony]

In the same pulpit whereto I am going,

After my speech is ended.

Antony

Be it so.

I do desire no more.

Brutus

Prepare the body then, and follow us.

[Exeunt all but Antony.]

Antony

Performance

Lines 255-276

[Click to launch video.]

O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth,

That I am meek and gentle with these butchers!

Thou art the ruins of the noblest man

That ever livèd in the tide of times.

Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood!

Antony

[To Caesar’s body] Oh you bleeding piece of flesh, pardon me for being so meek and gentle with these butchers! You are the ruins of the noblest man who ever lived in the flow of time. Woe to the hand that shed this rich blood! Over your wounds—which, like silent mouths, open their ruby lips to beg my tongue to speak—I predict a curse will fall on the bodies of men. Furious and fierce civil war shall overwhelm all of Italy.

Over thy wounds now do I prophesy —

Which, like dumb mouths, do ope their ruby lips

To beg the voice and utterance of my tongue —

A curse shall light upon the limbs of men.

Domestic fury and fierce civil strife

Shall cumber all the parts of Italy.

Blood and destruction shall be so in use,

And dreadful objects so familiar,

That mothers shall but smile when they behold

Their infants quartered with the hands of war,

All pity choked with custom of fell deeds.

(Antony)

Everyone will be so used to blood and destruction, and dreadful things so common, that mothers will just smile when they see their babies cut in pieces by the hands of war, all pity blocked by the familiarity of evil deeds. And Caesar's ghost, raging for revenge, with the goddess of strife at his side having come directly from hell, shall, throughout these regions and in a monarch's voice cry "Havoc!", and unleash the hounds of war, so that Caesar's murder shall cause a stink over the earth from all the rotting bodies groaning for burial.

[Enter Octavius' Servant]

You serve Octavius Caesar, don't you?

And Caesar's spirit, ranging for revenge,

With Ate by his side, come hot from hell,

Shall in these confines, with a monarch's voice

Cry 'Havoc!' and let slip the dogs of war,

Word Nerd

"havoc"

[Click to launch video]

That this foul deed shall smell above the earth

With carrion men, groaning for burial.

[Enter Octavius' Servant.]

You serve Octavius Caesar, do you not?

Historical Context

Octavius Caesar

Historical Context

Octavius Caesar

This is this first we’ve heard of Octavius Caesar, Julius Caesar’s 19-year-old grand-nephew. As Julius Caesar had no sons, he had been grooming Octavius to be his heir. In his will, Caesar officially adopts Octavius as his son and leaves to him the bulk of his enormous fortune. Octavius has spent many years in Greece being educated, so he’s not well acquainted with the inner workings of Roman politics.

Octavius' Servant

I do, Mark Antony.

Antony

Caesar did write for him to come to Rome.

Octavius' Servant

He did receive his letters and is coming,

Octavius’ Servant

I do, Mark Antony.

Antony

Julius Caesar wrote to him asking him to come to Rome.

Octavius’ Servant

He received his letters and is coming, and he asked me to tell you in person—

[Seeing the body]

Oh Caesar!

Antony

You have a big heart; go somewhere else and weep. Emotion is contagious, I see, since now my eyes, seeing yours tearing up, are starting to water as well. Is your master coming?

And bid me say to you by word of mouth —

[Seeing the body]

O Caesar! —

Antony

Thy heart is big; get thee apart and weep.

Passion, I see, is catching, for mine eyes,

Seeing those beads of sorrow stand in thine,

Began to water. Is thy master coming?

Octavius' Servant

He lies tonight within seven leagues of Rome.

Antony

Post back with speed and tell him what hath chanced.

Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome,

No Rome of safety for Octavius yet.

Hie hence and tell him so. — Yet stay awhile;

Octavius’ Servant

He's camping tonight twenty-one miles from Rome.

Antony

Ride back quickly and tell him what's happened. Rome is in mourning, a dangerous Rome, not yet a Rome safe enough for Octavius. Go and tell him this.—Yet wait a minute; don't go back until I've carried his corpse to the marketplace. There, I'm going to find out by my speech how the people feel about the result of these bloody men's work/ This information you will pass on to Octavius. Give me your hand.